Cephalic vein
- Begins as a radial continuation of the dorsal venous network, runs on the lateral side, and is often connected with the basilic vein by the median cubital vein in front of the elbow.
- Ascends along the lateral surface of the biceps, pierces the brachial fascia, and lies in the deltopectoral triangle with the deltoid branch of the thoracoacromial trunk.
- Pierces the costocoracoid membrane of the clavipectoral fascia and empties into the axillary
vein.
Basilic vein
- Arises from the dorsal venous arch of the hand and accompanies the medial antebrachial cutaneous nerve on the posteromedial surface of the forearm and passes anterior to the medial epicondyle.
- Pierces the deep fascia of the arm and joins the two brachial veins , the venae comitantes of the brachial artery, to form the axillary vein at the lower border of the teres major muscle.
Median cubital vein
- Connects the cephalic vein to the basilic vein over the cubital fossa.
- Lies superficial to the bicipital aponeurosis , and thus separates it from the brachial artery, which is vulnerable to being punctured during intravenous injections and blood transfusions.
Median antebrachial vein
- Arises in the palmar venous network, ascends on the front of the forearm, and terminates in the median cubital or the basilic vein.
Dorsal venous network
- Receives dorsal digital veins by means of dorsal metacarpal veins.
- Also receives palmar digital veins by means of intercapitular and palmar metacarpal veins and continues proximally as the cephalic vein (radial part) and as the basilic vein (ulnar part).
|